Monarch Butterfly Garden

 

Monarch Butterfly - State Insect of Texas

Below is a copy of the text of the statute passed by the 74th Texas Legislature designating the Monarch Butterfly as the official State Insect of Texas.  House Concurrent Resolution 94, 74th Legislature, Regular Session (1995)

 

       By Wohlgemuth, Hunter of Taylor, Patterson            H.C.R. No. 94
       74R6105 KMP-D
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
            WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a
      variety of official state symbols that embody the proud spirit and
      rich heritage of our state; and
            WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the Guadalupe bass, and the
      mockingbird are examples of natural specimens that serve to
      symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the
      state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our
      shared culture as Texans; and
            WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the
      monarch butterfly as the official State Insect of Texas will
      provide suitable recognition for this regal inhabitant of the Lone
      Star State; and
            WHEREAS, The monarch butterfly, known to scientists as Danaus
      plexippus, is a familiar and thrilling sight to Texans who play
      host to this beautiful insect each year as it travels southward
      toward the equator; its distinctive rust-colored wings, marked by
      black veins and two rows of white spots, make the monarch butterfly
      instantly recognizable to all; and
            WHEREAS, This stately creature is also renowned for its
      unique ability to evade predators; its main source of nourishment,
      the milkweed plant, contains a form of poison that makes the
      monarch butterfly unpalatable to birds and other hungry critters;
      and
           WHEREAS, Like Texas, the monarch butterfly has inspired
      imitators but remains in a league all its own; the viceroy
      butterfly, whose wings closely resemble those of the monarch,
      manages to avoid being eaten by relying on the reputation of its
      more deadly cousin; and
            WHEREAS, One of the heartiest and most resolute members of
      the insect kingdom, the monarch butterfly migrates nearly 2,000
      miles southward each year in its quest to find a warmer home for
      the winter, descending on the State of Texas for one last rest and
      feeding before it embarks on the final leg of its journey to the
      mountains of Mexico; and
            WHEREAS, The Lone Star State also holds the distinction of
      being the birthplace of this imperial insect; each spring the skies
      over Texas are filled with excitement and color as many thousands
      of these tiny creatures return to the site of their own nativity to
      give birth to a new generation; and
            WHEREAS, Recognizing this butterfly's great affinity for our
      state, the National Monarch Project has designated the Abilene
      Zoological Gardens as the first official sanctuary along the
      eastern migration path, and Texans everywhere can take immense
      pride in the special tie that we share with this magnificent
      creature; and
            WHEREAS, The monarch butterfly is as beautiful and memorable
      as a Texas sunset, soaring above all other insects in its nobility
      and determination, and its unique relationship with Texas makes it
      a truly appropriate symbol of the majestic spirit of the Lone Star
      State; now, therefore, be it
            RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
      hereby designate the monarch butterfly as the official State Insect
      of Texas.